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Post by manuel6b2 on Sept 19, 2009 0:04:19 GMT 1
From Julie (23:29)
"The big van is currently driving up Molls Gap - possibly the scarriest drive ever. I need to take over from Andrea and Taryn to split the 100 mile stint into Sneem. Think we might need to use the mtb for descents as roads are extremely dangerous. No sleep got at all. Certainly an adventure in every respect."
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Post by manuel6b2 on Sept 19, 2009 0:53:52 GMT 1
From Julie (00:48)
"Just met Taryn and Andrea. They rode a blinder over the first 40 miles of stage 12. Very tough, girls are tired but its now to Sneem asap for rest and first shower of the trip. Cathy and I now splitting the last 60 mile of this stage. Probably somewhere in around 6 hours. These roads ain't good when you're a bad passenger. Everyone in top form, bell is ringing and we are now into Saturday - ye ha! That means Sunday is home straight day! Must go, time to ride..."
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Post by manuel6b2 on Sept 19, 2009 9:07:46 GMT 1
From Julie (08:21)
"It's absolutely lashing. We made it to Sneem and got changed around - Andrea went out first. We're ahead now at least 6 hours. Very wet today, might slow things a bit. I had to get the mtb out last night to descent a few of the mountains. Hope for better roads today!"
After texting to tell them to get their head down, grit their teeth and put their race face on...
From Julie (08:32)
"Jesus I've been gritting for the last 3 stints. All the teams & organisers etc had pre-warned us about last nights stint. We got through that so reckon it can't be worse. We're soo determined to finish this regardless. We ain't looking so hot, black eyes, chaped lips etc, quite amusing though when we all looked in a mirro for the first time last night, or early hours this morning I think it was. Definitely the worse part for me is trying to sleep in the big van between check points. Impossible. Oh, did I mention we're still smiling. Thank God for vaselin and suda cream."
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Post by manuel6b2 on Sept 19, 2009 9:09:14 GMT 1
From Julie (09:02)
"Just arrived into Mizen Head. Reckon Andrea and Taryn due in about 10:15 ish. Its pasta again for breakfast. Had cold mash potato yesterday. Anything to fuel up. Rain dried up now."
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Post by manuel6b2 on Sept 19, 2009 11:24:47 GMT 1
From Andrea (11:16)
"Against the odds we did the tough Friday night 97 mile mountain stage in 8 hours. Then Taryn and I left Sneem at 5 am for 74 miles to Mizen Head and had our first 4 hours of rain. It dried up and the sun was out in Mizen when we got there at 10 am. Julie and Cathy off on 75 miles stage to Kinsale."
"Don't know how we've done it. Even gained time in spite of feeling so rough. Still 6 hours ahead of our expected timings."
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Post by hasbeenorneverwas on Sept 19, 2009 12:44:39 GMT 1
Girls are going great ... following wind and good weather all the way to the finish ... think how far you have come not how far you have to go!
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Post by manuel6b2 on Sept 19, 2009 15:42:19 GMT 1
From Julie (15:20)
"Cathy and I just finished our 73 mile stint into Kinsale. Taryn and Andrea now have 45 miles to go to Cobh, Co. Cork then we're back for 78 which takes us into Carrick en sur. Very strong head wind so speed was down on last one but we plan to be finished this time tomorrow. Ye ha! Quick sleep now before next run. Spirits good, we're all fairly busted but still plenty in the tank. Think you get immune to pain after a certain period. Contact you later. Have to rest up now."
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Post by manuel6b2 on Sept 19, 2009 19:35:06 GMT 1
From Andrea (16:02)
"Dry, sunny spells. Perfect weather! We hit 1,000 miles just out of Kinsale at 3 pm...at 66 hours. On our way to Cork now, 6 hours ahead of our schedule! We dug so so deep in gloom of Thursday / Friday afternoon. An immense effort. Beaming smiles, woo hoos and banter of first 24 hours back yesterday evening - boosted by huge queen of the mountains stage 9 pm Friday to 5 am Saturday. Very very tough...but we're laughing in the face of the challenge! Belles blitzing for home! Only one more through-the-night left! And 335 miles!"
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Post by manuel6b2 on Sept 19, 2009 22:18:29 GMT 1
From Julie (22:01)
"Having a nightmare section from Cobh, Co. Cork. Navigation error that has cost us such a lot of time, very frustrating for crew and Cathy especially. Mistakes can be made, probably an hour 20 and a lot of unnecessary back tracking. The positive is that Andrea and Taryn will get extra rest and hopefully up the average speed a bit tomorrow. Cathy and I only half way through our stint, we started at 6:10. Few big climbs ahead. Positives again though, I get to get the hardtail out to blitz the rough descent. Any good tips for cramp in the knees? Oh quite amusing to that our walki talkies are dead due to unexpected time so it is back to basics, one toot left, two right etc. Ha. Always get a laugh. Soon into 2nd tub of sudocream. We're all on our toes now despite the sleep deprivation. Keep ya posted if we ever get thru this dam stage."
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Post by manuel6b2 on Sept 19, 2009 22:23:12 GMT 1
I'm just off the phone with Julie. Cathy is out on the road ahead climbing steadily doing 17 average. Julie in good form but right knee giving her bother.
All disappointed about the navigation error. Seems there was an extra set of lights and a roundabout that wasn't on the map. Doesn't blame organisers as it is their first time and she feels they have done an excellent job.
She went 6 miles up a dual carriageway. Had to inform the organisers and then return to where they went wrong. Now back on track.
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Post by manuel6b2 on Sept 20, 2009 0:51:20 GMT 1
6 of the solo riders have DNF 'ed including world champ Fabio Biasiolo. Two of the teams have made it back. Team No Prior Experience have completed the 1324.5 ml event in 67 hours 27 minutes, average 19.56 miles per hour. Team An Post Connaught completed in 68 hours and 7 minutes, 19.33 m/h Joe Barr is leading the solo riders. More details on the website www.racearoundireland.com |
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Post by manuel6b2 on Sept 20, 2009 0:53:33 GMT 1
From Julie (00:50)
"Just off the bike. 9 miles to home thank the good lord. Cathy and I are busted. I understand that Andrea and Taryn are fighting fit rearing to get away the minute we hit them in Carrick on Suir. Keep ya posted."
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Post by manuel6b2 on Sept 20, 2009 9:06:19 GMT 1
From Andrea (08:30)
"Hey, very, very tough 12 hours. Huge navigation erro from Carrick to Cobh lost us 90 minutes of time. All starting to feel it in the legs. Dead tough 88 mile through the night starting at 1:30 am to Aughrim by me and Taryn. Great time though, go to Aughrim at 8:05 am. Cathy and Julie on way to Enniskerry via tough Wicklow climbs. Sun shining. Digging deep. Glory awaits."
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Post by manuel6b2 on Sept 20, 2009 9:10:17 GMT 1
From Julie (09:07)
"****ing more climbs! Cathy and I on. I started. Up in Wicklow hills. Our heads are about the only thing strong. Home straight in sight now."
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Post by manuel6b2 on Sept 20, 2009 12:36:27 GMT 1
From Julie (09:57)
"Cathy on Sallys Gap now".
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